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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 8<br />
start and finish of the story. Let<br />
us look at the last sentence first.<br />
John the Evangelist tells us: 'This<br />
was the first of his signs, his<br />
miracles, which Jesus did in Cana<br />
of Galilee, and manifested his<br />
glory.'<br />
So, then, the miracle is almost the<br />
opening act in John's Gospel. It<br />
raises the curtain on a new world.<br />
In it Jesus'glory is made plain.<br />
Now second, back to the first<br />
sentence of the story: 'On the<br />
third dcg there was a marriage in<br />
Cana of Galilee 'John mentions<br />
the two days before this, but he<br />
mentions the third day not simply<br />
to keep Jesus' diary sorted. No, the<br />
third dcg is an allusion to Jesus'<br />
resurrection which happened, of<br />
course, on the third day. It was<br />
Jesus' resurrection which finally<br />
pulled up the curtain on a new<br />
world, on a transformed universe,<br />
on a transfigured humanity within<br />
which Jesus is the first and perfect<br />
exemplar: God's power to redeem<br />
humanity is made manifest. In<br />
John's words, Jesus' glory is<br />
manifested. It was a turning point.<br />
So where does this leave us?<br />
Every now and again I accompany<br />
my wife to the supermarket.<br />
Often due to my incompetence<br />
in searching for the beef stock<br />
cubes or the kitchen towels she<br />
says: 'Oh, go on -off to the playpen.'<br />
The play-pen is Sainsbury's<br />
or Waitrose's wine section. That<br />
keeps me quiet and occupied.<br />
Wine, however, despite the dazzling choice, the attractive labels<br />
and all the rest is not essential to our diet. But the story of Jesus<br />
and the new wine says something different. For the symbolism in<br />
this tale about wine is almost as powerful as you'd find. It is a<br />
symbol of a most remarkable turning point. Plain water in huge<br />
pitchers is transformed into gallons and gallons of outstanding<br />
wine -premier cuvee, appellation controlee, best vintage and all<br />
the rest. Here is abundant grace and a world transfigured by God.<br />
This all happens because of the appearance of Jesus in his<br />
Incarnation.<br />
Seventy three years ago, on the corner of Fore Street and Moor<br />
Lane, saw a turning pointing within a very localised human<br />
frame. This past year may have seen a glimmer of an economic<br />
turning point at a fraught time in our national fortunes. But as<br />
we celebrate this New Year we recall a turning point of infinitely<br />
greater power, in God. Economic turning points, social and<br />
political turning points, cultural turning points are essential to<br />
our future. But without the deepest spiritual roots these will be<br />
as nothing.<br />
That event on that night in 1940 they have allowed eventually<br />
for my birth. But the incarnation and resurrection captured in<br />
that story of the miraculous wine tells a story new birth for all<br />
humanity. It spells out the true turning point which is at the<br />
heart of the entire tradition of European Christian Humanism.<br />
This great city has been one of the key nurseries of that tradition.<br />
How can that same rich tradition energise, that is -give soul, to<br />
our city as we embark on this New Year? How can it mark a<br />
seminal-even radical-turningpoint? How can it be, in the words<br />
of Dean Alington's hymn 'tidings of a new creation for an old<br />
and weary world?'<br />
Amen<br />
FAMiLiES oF PRioRY RoAD AND iTS<br />
ENViRoNS BY A FoRMER RESiDENT<br />
Dear Geraint<br />
Kelvindale, 8 Nutwood, Frith Hill Road<br />
GODALMING, Surrey GU7 2HG<br />
I received a letter recently to inform me that Muriel Burgess had<br />
died. I don't expect that will mean much to many Old Stationers<br />
but she had lived at 141 Priory Road for well over 50 years. To<br />
30